Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2,781, Thomas Foster, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
P.S.
Foster Thomas Esther
N. 2781
CONTENTS

151309.
From New York to R
Pennsylvania Foster
Thomas Foster
of Burlington in the state of New York who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Richmond of the Rhode Island line, for the term of One Year -
scribed on the Roll of New York -
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 4 th of May 1818
ertificate of Pension issued the 22 d of October 1819 and sent to John Russell Esq r Cooperstown N. York -
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1819. 15. \frac{28}{31} + \frac{4}{30} 128:28 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 th March 1819 1820 - 48:-
$ 176:28
{ Revolutionary claim, { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued

Wife sent to Samuel Maffet Esq. June 18th Peterborough oh

4944 Pennsylvania
Esther Foster
widow of Thomas Foster, dec d .
who was pensioned under the Act of 1818 — and who died on the 16 October 1831 — of Luzerne in the State of Penn a who was a private in the Comp y command by Captain Gibbs of the reg t command by Col. Richmond in the R. Sal ty time for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Philadelphia at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Jany 1840, & sent to Hon. D. D. Wagoner, Y.B. R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1839 $ 280.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 40 40.00
$320.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838 }
Recorded by D. M. Bundy Clerk Book A. Vol. 2. Page 151.

Thomas Foslin - Private 8 Years in Col. Richmond's regiment R.S. line - 76 & 77
Services performed one credible rating

State of New York? Thomas Foster being duly sworn Otsago County ss I saith he is a resident of the Town of Burlington in the County aforesaid and has served in the War of the Revolution against the common Enemy for the term of nine months and longer at a certain periods of the war herein after mentioned on the Continental Establishment and is yet a resident Citizen of the United States and by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his Country for support. And this deponent further saith he never has received any pension from the United States and doth hereby relinquish his claim to every pension that may have been heretofore allowed him by the laws of the United States excepting and reserving to himself the the right to claim and he does hereby claim a pension under an act entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed the 18 th of March 1818. And this deponent do further declare under oath that the time he entered the army of the United States in the War of the Revolution aforesaid on the Continental Establishment the officers under who he served the line to which he belonged together with the time and manner of his leaving the service are all correctly set forth according to the best knowledge and recollection of this deponent in the following manner that is to say he the said Thomas Foster is sixty-one years old and that he Enlisted into the Army of the United States on the 17 th day of January 1776 in Cap t Josiah Gibbs Company in Colonel — Richmond's Regi- ment of Infantry in the Line of Rhode-Island for the term of one year

and he this deponent served the said term in said Company and Regiment which was stationed the the most of the said year on New Port until the enemy took that place said Corps then retreated on to the main Land where he continued in said Corps until the 17 th day of January 1777 when this deponent was duly discharged. — And he this deponent in the Spring of the year 1778 Enlisted into the service of the United States in Capt John Carr, a Company in Colonel Archibald Crary's Regiment in the Line of Rhode Island for the term of one year or thereabouts said Regiment in the first part of the Campaign was stationed at Bristol Rhode Island and from thence marched to Howlands Ferry and crossed over to Rhode Island at under the command of General Sullivan and continued with said Regiment on said Island until the army crossed over to the Main and he this deponent continued in said service under the aforesaid officers until the term of Enlistment was ended which was on the 16 th day of March 1779 when this deponent was discharged from said service by the proper officer
Thomas Foster
Sworn and declared this 4 th day of May 1818
Before me Edward Pratt a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for Otsego County

Edward Pratt, Esq., Judge, Burlington, Otsego County, New-York.
Thomas Foster. Rhode-Island line Revolutionary claim.
The only person of this name is found on the rolls in Col: Henry Sherburne's regiment, - and is stated to have deserted in February, 1780. If the applicant be the same person, his claim is inadmissible.

State of New York? Lathrop Benjamin of the Town Otsego County ss of Burlington in said County being duly sworn saith that he is personally well acquainted with him the said Thomas Foster and has been so acquainted with him the said Thomas Foster — the applicant above named for Seven — years and during that time the said Thomas Foster has sustained a good character for truth and veracity and he this deponent verily believes that full credit ought to be given to the declarations of the said Thomas Foster — when under oath Lathrop Benjamin Sworn and declared the 4th day of May 1818 before me.
Edward Pratt a Judge of Com. Pleas of Otsego County
State of New York? Otsego County ss I Edward Pratt one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County aforesaid do certify that I am satisfied the said Thomas Foster served in the Revolutionary War as aforesaid against the common enemy for a longer term than Nine months as stated in the affidavit of the said Thomas Foster herunto annexed. And I do further certify that full credit is due to the deposition of the above named Lathrop Benjamin and also the evidence on which I have founded my judgement is contained in the affidavit of the said Lathrop Benjamin and I now transmit the testimony and proceedings taken and had thereon to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress
May 4 th 1818
Edward Pratt

State of New York
Deponent John Eldred of the County of Susquehanna and State of Pennsylvania aged fifty five years being duly sworn saith that he was born and brought up in the same neighborhood with Thomas Foster of the town of Danington County of Otsego and State of New York and who is now here present - And this deponent further saith that he served as a soldier in Colonel Arch. Crary's regiment for one year and from the best of his recollections it was from the Spring of 1778 until in the Spring of 1779 And this deponent knows that the said Thomas Foster served during that period in said Crary's regiment and was honorably discharged by Captain Carr - This deponent has no recollection that the said Thomas Foster ever served in Col. Shurburn's regiment and further saith not -
Sworn and subscribed before me this 26 th day of July 1849. his John + Eldred marks
John Russell
Judge of Com. Pleas.
Deponent John Eldred and Hester Whitford are credible witnesses July 26 th 1849. John Russell Judge of Com. Pleas.

State of New York
Oliver Comstock of the town of Milford and County aforesaid aged Sixty two years being duly sworn saith that he became acquainted with Thomas Foster of the town of Burlington and County aforesaid, about fifty years ago - That he enlisted together with the said Foster in the Spring of the year 1778 under one Captain John Carr in Colonel Crary's regiment belong- ing to the Rhode Island line which enlistment was for one year and this deponent further saith that he together with the said Foster served in said regi- ment until the 16th day of March 1779 when they were both honorably discharged by Captain Carr aforesaid belonging to Colonel H. Crary's regiment - And this deponent saith that he has no recollection that the said Thomas Foster ever served in a regiment commanded by Col. Henry Shelburne - And further this deponent saith not. -
his Sturtevant Whittford mark
Sworn & subscribed before me this 26th day of July 1879
John Russe Judge of Common Pleas

State of New York Onondaga County ss. I certify that Thomas Foster by reason of his reduced circumstances in life is in need of assistance from his country for support. - July 27. 1819. John Russell Judge of Common Pleas.
State of New York Onondaga County ss. I certify that John Russell whose signature appears on the foregoing paper is a Judge of Common Pleas for said County and that the signatures are genuine - Given under my hand and the seal of the Court Common Pleas for said County This 27 th day of July 1819. -
W. M. Woodell Clerk

Thomas Foster
Gray's Regt was not Continental from 78 to 79 - the claimant must prove his service in Richmond Regt in 76

State of New York
Otsego County ss. Amos Perkins of the town of An- derson & county aforesaid being duly sworn saith that he is well acquainted with Thomas Foster now present and the applicant before named and has been acquainted with the said Foster from his childhood & up to the present - This deponent further saith that together with the said Foster, enlisted in the winter of the year 1776, into Captain Josiah Gibbs company in Col. Richmond's regiment be- longing to the Rhode Island line, which enlist- ment was for one year and this deponent knows that the said Foster served during said year and was honorably discharged in the State of Rhode Island - and further this deponent saith not -
Amos Perkins
Sworn and subscribed before me this fifth day of October 1879.
John Russell
Judge of Otsego Co. N.Y.
Otsego County ss. I certify that Amos Perkins is a credible witness - Oct 1. 1879. -
John Russell
Judge of Otsego Co. N.Y.

Thomas Lester 15369
Transfer
J

State of Pennsylvania Luzerne County ss. 3
On this day of November 22 nd 1820 before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Luzerne aforesaid being a Court of Record of unlimited jurisdiction personally appeared Thomas Foster now of Greenfield Township Luzerne County and State aforesaid lately of Allegany County, State of New York who being first duly sworn according to law did declare that he served in the Land Service during the Revolution and was in the line of the Rhode Island Troops in Captain Josiah Gibbs Company of Colonel Richards Regiment One year 1776 and served fifteen months in the State Service in Captain John Carr's Company Colonel Ichabod Cross's Regiment as from particular appears from his original declaration on file in the office of the War Department and his pension Certificate is dated 22 nd day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen & numbered 15369.
And I the said Thomas Foster do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of any property or any part thereof with intent to diminish in so as to bring myself within the provisions of the Act of Congress passed on the 18 th day of March 1818 entitled an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolution any less than that I have not nor has any other person in trust for me any contract or debt due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule herewith annexed and by me subscribed.
Thomas Foster.
Sworn and Submitted in Open Court 8 Nov. 1820 H. Bertram Prob.
Estate Real None
  Personal Real Estate - 15 - $36. -   Two Horses 6   Seven Cows 2.50   One Sheep 3.00   1 Horse & Wagon 1.50   1 Iron Rail Fence 3.00   1 Smaller Fence 1.75   1 Old House & Barn & Cloths 5.00   1 set Harness & Saddle 2.00   Plows & Crockery 2.00   1 Wash Tub 50   Iron Pot & Chain and Table 1.00   Twenty Bushel Corn 15.00   Rifle & etc 3.00   $75.25 
Many of the above articles have been furnished with my pension money. I am by profession a farmer and am 64 years of age and have a wife Martha aged 60 years and five children being with me John 24 Esther 21 Abigail 18 Fanny 16 Thomas 14. I was confined 18 years by the rheumatism and am still afflicted by it. I lost a son in December last & moved from Burlington Allegany County New York and now live in a house put up for me by my son on land which he has purchased but not yet paid for. I have been presented on the New York agency and should like to be continued on it.
Thomas Foster
Second True Subscription in Open Court 8 Nov. 1820
H. Bertram Prob.

In the matter of Esther Foster's Application for Pension
— " — Depositions
Am D D Wagener ARR

State of Pennsylvania Wayne County } ss.
William Foster of Clifford township in the County of Susquehanna aged seventy nine years being duly affirmed doth affirm and say that he is the brother of the late Thomas Foster a pensioner soldier in the army of the Revolution and a pensioner under the act of 1818 and who died in Benton township in the County of Luzerne in October in the year 1831 or 1832. That at the time said Thomas Foster was married, deponent resided about one or two miles from him in the town of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island - That previous to said marriage deponent saw one of the notices that it was then customary to put up in public places previously to marriage giving notice thereof. - That deponent was invited to the wedding of his brother the said Thomas Foster and Esther Foster his subsequent wife, (then Esther Wells the daughter of James Wells) but he did not attend the wedding. That after the wedding, deponent attended the affair of the wedding party of said Thomas and Esther at the house of Joseph Howard who kept a grocery in the town of Scituate, afterwards called Foster. That the time appointed for said marriage to which deponent has referred, above, was previously to said Esther being eighteen years of age and deponent thinks it was

late in the fall of the year Seventeen hundred and seventy nine - That in the next Spring deponent moved the said Thomas and Esther to the house which the said Thomas had built in the same township and that the said Thomas and Esther continued to cohabit together as husband and wife to the said time of the death of said Thomas Foster - That deponent heard they were married and has not the least doubt but that such was the fact - That within a year after or two after said mar- riage the said Esther had a child named Polly who afterwards married Owen Gurnea. And that the said Esther continued to have children and deponent thinks to the number of ten or eleven while she lived with the said Thomas - That the said Thomas never had any other wife so far as deponent knows or believes - and the said Esther has not been married since the death of her said husband -
This deponent further says that he is well acquainted with the hand writing of said Thomas Foster and that he has examined the paper purporting to be the leaf of a book hereto annexed marked A and that he verily believes the entries upon said paper to be in the hand writing of said Thomas Foster - That deponent saw the said leaf cut out of a bible by Ezra Wheeler of Bethany in said County of Wayne on the 14 th January instant - That the said Thomas Foster was four or five years older than this

Deponent, and he therefore believes the entries upon said paper as to the age of said Thomas to be correct - O.K. [unclear] of [unclear] Affirmed and Subscribed
Jan'y. 15. 1840 before me a justice of the peace in and for said County of Wayne Thos. Spangler J.P.
Wayne County S - Harly Hobbs of Benton township in the County of Luzerne aged forty four years or thereabouts being duly affirmed with affirm and say, That he has been acquainted with Thomas and Esther Foster for about twenty years - That during the life time of the said Thomas Foster, since deponent's acquaintance with him he resided in Greenfield township (then called Wilkes-Barre township) and removed from there to Benton township formerly, Nicholson where he died on the sixteenth day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and thirty one - That said Thomas Foster in his life time drew a pension - That deponent has frequently heard the said Thomas speak of events of his life, such as his being in the revolutionary war, his removal from Rhode Island to Vermont state, thence to New-York state, and thence to Pennsylvania - That deponent is acquainted with eleven of the reputed children of the said Thomas and Esther viz - Sally, who intermarried with Owen Gurnes, Sally, wife of Abraham Bliss, Charlotte, whose husband deponent does not know, Selinda, wife of Bates, James, Rachel, Melvina, wife of Hiram Stark, Esther, wife of deponent, Alpha, widow of Elijah Hobbs decd.,

Harry wife of Calvin Lane & Thomas J. dec d . - That, judging from the looks and appearance of said Polly and from his knowledge of the members of the family deponent believes the said Polly is from fifty eight to sixty years of age - That said Thomas and Esther were reputed as husband and wife and lived and cohabited together as such and deponent never heard nor has he any reason to suspect nor does he suspect that either of them was ever married to any other -
This deponent further says that he has seen said Thomas Foster write, and he has inspected the paper hereto annexed marked "A" - and he believes the entries upon said paper to be in the hand writing of the said Thomas Foster - That said paper is a leaf of a bible which was in the pos- session of said Thomas Foster in his life time and was cut therefrom by Elean Wheeler of Bothany, Wayne Co. on the 14 th January instant, and is the same to which James Foster referred in his deposition heretofore forwarded to the pension department - That the said James Foster has removed into the western country, deponent does not know where precisely, but suppose in the western part of New-York state - Further deponent saith not -
Affirmed and Subscribed Jany. 15. 1840 before me a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Wayne Thos. H. Hagerberg J.P.
Harry Hobbs

Wayne County S. Earl Wheeler of Bethany in the County of Wayne aged thirty eight years being sworn says that he cut the paper here annexed marked "A" from a bible first produced to deponent by James Foster on the occasion of taking the deposition of said James before the Hon. Wm. Jeffers Pres. Judge in the matter of application for pension by said Esther Foster under the act of 1836, which paper, if deponent mistakes not, was in part copied into said deposition of said James and forwarded to the pension department - Deponent has no doubt from its appearance that it is the same bible and the same leaf of the bible to which the said James in his said deposition refers -
Deponent further says that he has been for some years acquainted with the above named William Foster and Harly Hobbs - With the said Williams he has been acquainted for twelve or thirteen years - and has had good opportunities for forming an acquaintance with his character - With the said Harly Hobbs he has not been so fully acquainted - though he has often seen and heard of him - Deponent never heard anything against the character of either - and of the characters of both for truth and veracity from all he has heard, seen, and known, he has formed a decidedly favourable opinion -
Sworn and subscribed before me a justice of the peace in and for the County of Wayne Jan'y. 15. 1840 - Geo. H. Hagenberg J.P.
Earl Wheeler

Wayne County So. Leonard Graves, of Bethany in said County of Wayne, prothonotary of the Court of Common pleas of said County aged thirty four years, being duly sworn duty depose and say, that he has been acquainted with the above named Harley Hobbs for twenty years, that he never heard any thing against his reputation that so far as deponent knows and believes it is good Deponent would have no hesitation in believing him under oath -
Sworn and Subscribed
L Graves
Jany. 15 th 1840 before me a justice of the peace in and for said County of Wayne
Thos Spangenberg J.P.
I Thomas Spangenberg Esquire a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Wayne, do certify that the above named William Foster, Harley Hobbs, Eare Wheeler and Leon- ard Graves are credible witnesses -
Thos Spangenberg J.P.

State of Pennsylvania Wayne County S.
I Leonard Graves prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that Thomas Spangenberg Esquire whose name is affixed to the above jurats is, at the date thereof, a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Wayne duly Commissioned and sworn and authorized to administer oaths and that the said Signatures "Thomas Spangenberg J.P." affixed to said jurats, and certificate of credibility of witnesses (William Foster, Henry Holly, Earl Wheeler and Leonard Graves) are the genuine signatures of said Thomas Spangenberg Esquire, that I saw him write the same -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office the 15 th day of January A.D. 1840 -
L Graves Prothonotary

Thomas Foster His Book
Thomas Foster
Born in the year 1757 January the 10 th A D 1757
Esther Foster
Born (A D )
March the 16 th 1762
Price of this Book three Dollars and a half

4321
Esther Foster Pennsylvania
Capt. Gilebski Richmond R.I.
2 years under this enlistment, He last in Col. Crang,

State of Pennsylvania County of Luzerne 3 d S. - On this twenty ninth day of March A. D. 1839 personally appeared before William Jessup Esquire President Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania Esther Foster a resident of Benton township in the County of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania aged Seventy Seven years, who being first duly sworn  affirmed according to law, dith, on her oath  affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4. 1836: That she is the widow of Thomas Foster who was a private in the army of the Revolution and served under Captain Josiah Gibbs in Rhode Island and was a pensioner under the act of Congress of 18 th March 1818 as by reference to a Certificate thereof under date of 22 d October 1819 numbered 15369 will more fully appear - She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Foster in the month of November before she was 18 years of age (1779) that her husband the aforesaid Thomas Foster died on the 16 th day of October 1831 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed -
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before Myself Pres t Judge
Esther Foster being entirely blind & unable to see the paper I put her name at her request Myself
I also certify that the said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the Court
Myself Pres t Judge

Lucerne County ss.
William Foster of Clifford township in the County of Susquehanna aged 78 years being duly affirmed doth affirm and say that he is a brother of said deceased Thomas Foster that during the time the said Thomas served in the war of the Revolution they both resided when at home in the town of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island and continued to reside there some years (say 7 or 8 years) after the war when they both removed to the town of Sharon Windsor County Vermont where they resided a number of years (say about 11 years) when the said Thomas removed to Otsego Co. New York state and this affirmant soon after to Cambridge Washington Co. New York state and subsequently they both removed to Luzerne County Pennsylvania, where they have remained ever since -
That during the revolutionary war when this affirmant was about 18 years of age (1779) he well recollects seeing one of the written notices, (which in those days in the state of Rhode Island it was customary to put up in public places previous to an intended marriage) of his brother Thomas' intended marriage to the said Esther Wells whose maiden name was Esther Wells - This affirmant saw said notice affixing and was invited to the wedding at the house of James Wells in said town of Scituate, but he neglected to attend - The day after the wedding which was in October or November however this affirmant went in company with the said Thomas and wife Esther

from the house of James Wells to his brother Samuel Foster and attended the wedding party there - I spent then unidentified and now believes his brother Thomas and they said both were married by a certain Baptist Priest named Caleb Nichol - and they the said Thomas and Esther have lived and cohabited together as husband and wife from that time to the death of the said Thomas in October 1881 - They have had a family of eleven children some of whom are yet living -
Affirmant further says he well recollects his brother serving in the army of the revolution - and thinks the said Thomas first enlisted for a term of 18 months for the defence of the state and after the expiration of that term he again enlisted for another term of 18 months - and at the expiration of the last mentioned term he thinks he was married as aforesaid - After his said marriage this affirmant thinks the said Thomas enlisted as a minute man and he is positive that the said Thomas went out and served as such once or twice after his said marriage down by the sea side at Bristol - and he thinks the said Thomas served as a minute man after his said marriage at Providence Warren also - This affirmant thinks the said Thomas served at different times under Captains Josiah Gibbs and John Carr and Col. Richmond but is not positive as to the length of time he served under each - This affirmant is positive the said Thomas never had any other wife than the said

Esther above named - Subscribed this 29 th day of March A D 1839. She said William Foster being a credible witness
William Foster
Myself Pres Judge
Luzerne County ss.
James Foster of the town of Greenfield in the County of Luzerne aged 48 years being duly affirmed doth affirm and say that he is the son of Thomas and Esther Foster above named - that from his earliest recollections they have been reputed as husband and wife and he never heard of either being married to any other - That his father's family consisted of eleven children, four of whom are older than this affiant - That his said father drew a pension of ninety Six dollars per year by virtue of the afore- mentioned Certificate from the time of granting the same to the time of his death which took place in October 1831 - That he is in possession of the family bible of his father Thomas Foster that in said bible there is an entry in the hand-writing of his said father as follows. "Thomas Foster born January 10 th A. D. 1757 - Esther Foster born March the 16 th 1762"
Subscribed this 29 th day of March A D 1839. the said James Foster being a credible witness
James Foster
Myself Pres Judge

Luzerne County ss.
Harvey Hobbs of the town of Benton in the county of Luzerne aforesaid aged forty three years being duly sworn  affirmed doth depose and say that he was familiarly acquainted with Thomas and Esther Foster above named for many years previous to the death of the former - that during his acquaintance they have always been reputed as husband and wife nor has he ever heard of either being married to any other - that said Thomas lived a few of the last years of his life with this deponent and died there on the 16 th day of October 1831 - that during the time he lived with this deponent he drew a pension from the United States of ninety six dollars per year, that the above named William Foster and James Foster are credible witnesses
Affirmed & Subscribed the 29 March 1839 before Mr. the said Harvey Hobbs being a credible witness
THOMAS HOBBS
Myself Pres t Judge
Luzerne County ss.
Mary Gannet of the township of Greenfield in said county of Luzerne aged fifty eight years on the 5 th day of February last being duly sworn  affirmed doth depose and say that she is the oldest child of Thomas and Esther Foster above named - That she recollects residing with her parents in the town of Scituate in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island - That they the said Thomas and Esther were then and have ever since been reputed as

husband and wife and she never heard of either being married to any other - That her father had a family of eleven children by the said Esther, that so far as she knows nine of them are now living though some of them are in distant parts - That her said father drew a pension of ninety Six Dollars per year by virtue of the afore- mentioned certificate from the granting thereof as long as he lived - That he died on the 16 th day of October 1831 - Mary Yarns affirmed & Subscribed this 29 th day of March 1839 The said Mary Yarns being a credible witness
My J. P. Dist. Judge -

State of Pennsylvania Luzerne County
ss. I Jasper Hassett
prothonotary of the court of common pleas of said county of Luzerne do certify that the above named William Jesup whose name is attached to the foregoing certificates is the President judge of the Tenth judicial district of Pennsylvania and that the above signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto to set my hand and caused my seal of office to be affixed this first day of April A. D. 1838 -
Jasper Hassett Prothonotary

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Thomas Fisher No. 2787
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Jan'y 17. 1776 1 year Pvt. Josiah Gitt Richmond R.I.   Spring 1778 12 or 15 mos. John Barr Archibald Crary        
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Situat Providence Co. R.I.
Date of application for pension, May 4. 1818 His el. was el.
Residence at date of application, Burlington, Ohio Co. O.
Age at date of application, 6. Jan'y 10. 1757. died Oct. 16. 1839 at Situate R.I.
Remarks: Soldier married Nov. 1779. Mother, daughter of John Wells. He was born Feb. 16. 1762 & was allowed pension on an application executed Feb. 29. 1839 while a resident of Benton Twp. Luzerne Co. Penn.
(Family record herewith)
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Record Division.
November 29, 1911.
Mrs. Esther H. De Pue, 521 Depot Street, Scranton, Pa.
Madam:
In addition to the military history of Thomas Foster, Wid. File No. 2781, Rev. War, you are herewith furnished the following data as to his family.
There were eleven children.
Mary or Polly born February 5, 1781, wife of Duer Yarns. Sally - - - - - wife of Abraham Bliss. Charlotte name of husband not stated. Selinda - - - - - wife of ---Bates. James - - - - - Asahel - - - - - Freelove - - - - - wife of Hiram Stark. Esther - - - - - wife of Hurly Hobbs. Alpa or Alpan - - - - - widow of Elijah Hobbs. Fanny - - - - - wife of Calvin Lane. Thomas J. - - - - -
In 1820 Freelove was 24 years old, Esther 21 years, Alpan 18 years Fanny 16 years and Thomas J. 14 years.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2781
Ester Foster.
Widow
Thomas Foster.
Co: R. I. Lini.
Act: July 7, 1888.
Index:—Vol. A , Page 245
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1911 Nov. 29. Hist. to Bethel H. De Pue. V.L. (Family record also sent)

1 Bureau of Pensions
Department of the Interior
Gentlemen. I wish to apply
to you for information in regard to the Military Record of one Thomas Porter who was a pensioner of the war of the Revolution. as to the date of his enlistment and discharge. also a copy of his pension certificate if possible. I have copied from an old record. in Wilkesbarre then the county seat of Luzerne County in which county he resided.

In Benton Township formerly Greenfield This record stated he had received $1280. 25 cts and that Pension commenced payment May 4 1818.
Our records have all been lost and I want authentic authority from Government records I have considerable information from individual recollection to hear say
I think he enlisted from Rhode Island or Massachusetts
His wife was pensioned after his death Her name was Esther
Foster maiden name Wells and my father Harley Hobbs assisted them in getting their Pension

As they lived 3 with him at that time
I wish this record for the purpose of proving I am a lineal descendant for membership in the D. A. R.
Thomas Foster was a member of a large family of Fosters in the East Massachusetts & Rhode Island where he resided at the time afterward in Windson Vt and Cooperstown N.Y. and Benton Leekannia Co. formerly Luzerne where he died. Any information will be very gratefully received

I am a granddaughter of this revolutionary soldier and would like authentic proofs.
Very sincerely
Mrs. Esther Hobbs DePue 521 Depot St Scranton Pa
Nov 21-1911

Catharine Foster Pennsylvania — Suspended — Act 28 Aug t 1839 E. Wheeler
Act 7 July 1838

5623
Bather Master of Thomas Pennsylvania
admitted
P. 27 th Capt Gibbs Col Richmond R.I.,
died 16 Oct. 1831
Act 7 July 1838
Non L.S. Wagener. W.R.

Thomas Foster
Thomas Foster Tramp From New York to Pa 4 June 1821 From H.R. March 1820
Cont Foster J.A.S.

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania County of Luzerne ss.
On this twentieth day of February , 1821, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Luzerne personally appeared Thomas Foster who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain John Carr in the regiment commanded by Colonel Archibald Crary in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of New York from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state (district, or territory) of Pennsylvania where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future.
by Captain Josiah Gibbs, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Richmond - and also in the company commanded by *
Thomas Foster
Sworn and subscribed to, before } me, the day and year aforesaid. }
Mon. 21 Feb one of Pettibone of Luzerne in the County of Luzerne aforesaid
NOTE. The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Luzerne County ss.
I Samuel Maffit Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Luzerne aforesaid Do certify that Marshall Dyer Esquire before whom the within affidavit of transfer was made by Thomas Foster was at the time and is now an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County and that full faith and credit are due to all his acts officially done as such as well in Courts of Justice as elsewhere In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of said office at Wilkesbarre this twentieth day of February A.D. 1821. The writing on the margin of said Affidavit being made by me previous to its being subscribed
Samuel Maffit Prothonotary
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

Mr Edward-
Sir,
You will please with as little delay as possible to examine the enclosed paper and give me your decision -
Yours David Mayne
House of Reps
Jan 24 1840

Old conc.
Wm Lloyd
John
Prison Office
Washington
Mr. Thur

Old copy
War Department
John G. [unclear]
Yrs True
Pension Office Washington

Cox'stown Oct 2. 1819.
Thomas Foster hath it noted in his power to procure to procure two witnesses in the State of N.Y. of his services in Richmond regt. He thinks that there possibly may be one or more living in the State of R. Island, but he has not seen or heard from them for a great number of years, and he is extremely poor himself and knows a couple which renders it impossible for him to search for further testimony. He sustains a fair character in his neighborhood.
I am Sir very respectfully your obedt. Servt. John Rufus
W. K. Edwards Esq.
can of Anna Perkins taken out.

War Department,
PENSION OFFICE, N o 15269
4 th June. 1821.
SIR :
You are hereby informed that the Schedule of your property has been examined, and the Secretary of War has directed your name to be continued on the Pension Roll.
You will be paid, at the ensuing semi-annual payment in Sept r next, the sum that may be then due from the time of suspending your pension. Funds for the purpose will be transmitted at that time; but no arrearages will be paid previous thereto.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards.
To Mr Thomas Foster of Luzerne County Pa. care of Samuel Maffet Esq. Wilkesbarre Pennsylvania

WAR DEPARTMENT,
PENSION OFFICE,
June 4 th 1821.
SIR,
IN conformity with the regulations of this Department, you have this day been transferred from the Roll of New York . to that of Pennsylvania . . . . . to take effect from and after the 4 th day of March 1820 .
I am, Sir, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
Mr. Thomas Foster
U. S. Pensioner.
care of Samuel Maffet Esq. Wilkesbarre.
Pennsylvania

200 Milledame Feb 28 Rev. John C. Southwick, Esquire, Secretary of the Washington City (D.C.)
Recd 6 mo. 1828
Free

Wilkesbarre Feb 28
Free
288
Rec. 6 Mar 1828
Edw. D.
Edw. D.
Hon. John C. Calhoun, Esquire, Secretary of War, Washington City (D.C.)

Wilkesbarre, Feb. 28, 1821.
Sir, I enclose the Schedule, as certified by my predecessor - and also the Application for a transfer, by Thomas Foster, an old soldier, now a pensioner on the roll of the State of New York. He appears to be poor and needy and is very anxious for a speedy return.
Respectfully yours &c.
Samuel Maffett
Hon J. C. Cathcart, Esq. Secy of War.

J L Edward Esq Clerk of Peace
My dear Sir -
I enclose you the Papers of Widow Foster, and to which I call your particular attention. - Please advise result as soon as you have examined the documentary evidence
Your friend H B Dawson
Easton April 10 - 1834

Thomas Foster Clifton Surgeon Pennsylv a
Payable semi-annually. The first payment on this Certificate will be made on the 4th of March next, in The City of New York At the U States Branch Bank
RECORD

War Department.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY that, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th March, 1818,
Thomas Foster _____ late a Private _____ _____ in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the New York _____ Agency, at the rate of _____ Eight _____ dollars per month, to com- mence on the _____ 4 th _____ day of May _____ one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen -
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this _____ 22 d _____ day of October _____ one thousand eight hundred and Nineteen -
J. B. Calhoun Secretary of War.

Thomas Foster Pa. Act March 1888 to what time paid?
Pen. Office
April 13. 1889
p to 4 Dec 1881
JH

War Department, Pension Office
April 13 1839.
Sir,
The papers in the case of Mrs Esther Foster, widow of Thomas Foster, dec d . under the act of 4 th July 1836, have been examined and filed with suspended cases. She alleges to have been married in Nov 1779; and it does not appear from her husband's declaration, that he served after March 1779. Unless it can be shown by the most satisfactory testimony that her husband was called into service after her marriage, by competent authority, in a regularly organized Corps, and the company & regiment designated, as well as the place, or places where the service was performed, a pension cannot be allowed under the act of 4 th July 1836. She may obtain a pension under the act of 7 July 1838 upon making a declaration under that act. The family records should be exhibited. I have the honor to be,
Hon. D. D. Wagner Easton, Pennsylvania
very respectfully, Your obt. Servt. J. B. Edwards

562B Esther Foster of Thomas Pennsylvania

State of Pennsylvania County of Luzerne ss.
On this Fourth day of June A D 1839 personally appeared before me William Joseph President — Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of Luzerne Esther Foster a resident of Benton township in said County of Luzerne aged Seventy Seven years who being first duly affirmed according to law, doth on her affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7. 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay 77 and pensions to certain widows" — That she is the widow of Thomas Foster who was a private in the army of the revolu- tion — and a pensioner under the act of 1818 —
She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Foster before she was eighteen years of age to wit in November (1779) in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine that her husband the aforesaid Thomas Foster died on the sixteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty one — ; that if her said husbands service in the war of the revolution ended in March 1779 as appears from his declaration on file in the war office she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, Seventeen

Hundred and ninety four viz: at the time above stated - Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before Me M c ipup Prest. Judge
Esther Foster, written by me She being from her ability & blindness unable to write her name at her request M c ipup
I certify that the said Esther Foster can not from bodily infirmity attend the Court - Dated June 4th 1839.
M c ipup Pres. Judge
State of Pennsylvania Lucerne County ss.
I Jasper Hasset Esq 3 Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that the above named William M c ipup whose signature is attached to the foregoing certificates is a Judge of a Court of record of said County as above stated, and that said signature and name - In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said Court to be affixed the seventh day of June A. D. 1839 -
Jasper Hasset Prothonotary

Bethany June 13. 1839-
J. L. Edwards Esquire Comm r of Pensions Sir
I enclosed & forward you Esther Foster's declaration under the act of 7 th July 1838, and also your letter to Hon. D. D. Wagener forwarded to me by him -
Despairing of obtaining Satisfactory evidence of Service of the husband subsequent to the marriage in a regularly organized Corps we have adopted the Suggestion contained in your letter of making the declaration under the act of 1838. The witnesses could speak of the Service Subsequent to the mar- riage with certainty, but can not speak of the Corps being regularly organized -
We did not deem it necessary to make all the depositions anew presuming those already in your possession would be satisfactory as to marriage &c. - Consider- able delay has been occasioned in forwarding this declaration in consequence of the distance of the President Judge from the residence of the applicants - He has very obligingly attended twice at a distance of 30 miles -
The pension Certificate, if granted can be forwarded to me at "Bethany P. O. Wayne Co. Penn a " - I have done all the business - Esther Foster resides nearest, (but about 6 miles distant from) Dundaff P. O. Susquehanna Co. Pa. But considerable delay might be occasioned in communicating with her there - May Hobbie

apt. P.M. Genl. - Hon D. D. Wayne will inform you whether the matter can safely be entrusted with me.
We have no returns from the Case of Mrs Bonham wife of Zadok Bonham, late of Mt. Pleasant Township Wayne Co. decd. - Have the papers been received? - I forwarded them to you some months ago.
I am very Respectfully your ob d Serv t
Earl Wheeler Bethany P. O. Wayne Co. Penn a .
Pr. Bonham No 5244 be d ap d 24

War Department, Pension Office, Aug. 28. 1839
Sir,
The declaration of Mrs. Esther Foster under act 7 th July, 1838, has been examined and filed with her other papers in this office. Before a final decision can be had, some record proof of the marriage should be exhibited as required in my letter to Hon. D. D. Wagener of the 13 th April last which is herewith returned to you. If the family record does not contain a record of the claimant's marriage, or of the births of her children, the affidavit of the person having charge of the Town or Church records of the town where she was married should be exhibited, shewing what proof of the marriage said records afford.
I am, very respectfully, Your obt. servt.
J. B. Edwards
Earl Wheeler Esq. Bethany, Pa.

Bethany Pa Jan 16
free
Hon. David D. Wagener M. C.
return this letter Washington City

Bethany, Wayne Co Penn a Jan y 15. 1840.
Hon. D. D. Wagener Dear Sir
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the rec d of the President's message from you, a document which seems to command almost universal admiration.
Enclosed I take the liberty to forward to you, and through you to J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions some additional pension papers of Mrs Esther Foster of Luzerne Co., to which I beg the favour of asking your special attention .
A brief history of the application is as follows, to wit:-
Under the impression, from all the information I could gather, that Thomas Foster the husband had served a short time, after the marriage , in the revolutionary war a declaration was made and depositions taken before the Hon. William Jessup, Pres t Judge, who took pains to go a distance of about 30 miles from home for the purpose. These papers were forwarded to you at Easton and a reply was very promptly rec d which is herein enclosed. It seems the husband in his original declaration had made no mention of service after March 1779 which was before the marriage. Hence a doubt or presumption arose too difficult of proof to be overcome, that such service was not performed after the marriage which took place in Nov. 1779; yet the high probability is that service was performed

after the marriage, but we could not shew it to have been under a reg- ularly organized Corps and the con- sequence was we took the recommenda- tion contained in the letter of W. Edwards under date of April 13. 1839 and there was to proceed under the act of 7 th July 1838 instead of the act of 4 th July 1836 and content ourselves with the 5 years pension. We procured Judge Jessup to go again to the Widow Foster and to take another declaration under the act of 1838 which was forwarded to the department, and the presumption that the deposition of witnesses taken under the previous application would answer under the last one and therefore that it would not be necessary to swear them over again. We rec d . for answer the letter herewith forwarded under date of Aug t 28. 1839 requiring evidence which we find it impossible to produce to wit Town or Church records &c or family records of marriage; yet there is no more doubt of the exis- tence of the fact of marriage as you will perceive from the evidence of W m Foster herewith forwarded, and as is apparent from a family of 11 children the eldest of whom is some 60 years of age or thereabouts than there is that such persons had an existence - I urge that the circumstances of the family, the number of children, their ages as now proved and heretofore proved before Judge Jessup who saw those very

Children and the indications of their age and who sanctions their testimony by his name and official character as a high public functionary, and the circumstances now and heretofore sworn to by W m Foster are better and more satisfactory evidence of the fact of marriage than the posture testimony of one or two witnesses who might be induced to testify mutually -
Much time has elapsed in order to search the records in Rhode Island in the towns of Scituate and Foster to find record evidence, which I learn has been done, and nothing found, as will turn out to be the case in 9 instances out of 10 - We now send the paper or leaf of the bible heretofore copied in part as to the ages of Thomas and Esther Foster - You will see also the depositions of myself and M c Grone our prothonotary, being the only persons here who were acquainted with the witnesses - and to procure Counsel or Judges to go a distance of 30 miles to the residence of Mrs. Foster, she being poor is a burden which she is unable to sustain from time to time - Already three journeys have been made - Two by Judge J. S. and one by myself -
Asking your pardon for drawing so largely upon your time in this lengthened epistle, and in similar ones heretofore
I remain your obliged
and ob t Servant -
E. Wheeler